The Urbs Aeterna is a unique place in the world, which allows one to immerse in the vestiges of the greatest civilization that has ever existed. SO10 EELL, the first “Italian Cities” model, is a tribute to the eternal glory of Rome. The right sideplate is worked with hammer and chisel and burin engraving techniques, to represent three of the most evocative elements of Roman culture: The Imperial fora, Chariot racing and Roman legions.
The ancient symbols of Rome embellish the spaces between the sideplates and the pins are also filled with symbols: the eagle is engraved on the right side and represents Jupiter, the protector of the State, the power of Rome and father of all the gods. As such it served as a symbol of the power of Rome and its empire and was used as an insignia by the army. The SPQR acronym (senate and people of Rome, in Latin), bears witness to the glorious past of Rome: belonging to the homeland of law.
The right sideplate of the SO10 EELL Florence+Venice is entirely dedicated to the city of Florence, with some of its most famous architectural and artistic monuments: Ponte Vecchio, Michelangelo's David, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Perseus with the head of Medusa and the Uffizi Gallery.
Ponte Vecchio, the iconic medieval stone bridge with closed arched banks that creates the passage over the Arno. Michelangelo’s David, one of the greatest masterpieces of the Renaissance, was sculpted to represent the biblical figure of David. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, completed in 1436 thanks to the timeless mastery of the architect Filippo Brunelleschi. Perseus with the head of Medusa, bronze sculpture by Benvenuto Cellini among the most beautiful in the Loggia dei Lanzi in Piazza della Signoria, built between 1545 and 1554, The Uffizi Gallery, one of the best-known museums in the world, located in the historic center near Piazza della Signoria.
The left sideplate of the SO10 EELL Florence+Venice is an ode to the floating city of Venice. The most famous places and traditions of the "City of Water" are portrayed: St Mark's Campanile, the Bridge of Sights, the Carnival, Rialto Bridge and St Mark's Square.
The Campanile di San Marco, an almost 100-meter-high tower of the Basilica of San Marco, one of the most recognizable places and symbols of the city. The Ponte dei Sospiri, built in 1600 in limestone and barred windows above the Rio di Palazzo. Carnival, an annual festival that began in 1162, famous throughout the world for its unmistakable costumes and masks. The Ponte di Rialto, the oldest of those crossing the Grand Canal and symbol of the city of water, also with the gondola, a typical boat used to travel along the canals. Piazza San Marco, the main square of the city also called “the living room of Europe”.
The opening lever of the Florence+Venice SO10 EELL portrays celebrated Italian poet, writer and philosopher Dante Alighieri from Florence. His Divina Commedia is widely considered one of the most important poems of the Middle Ages and the greatest literary work in the Italian language. Enameled in red on top the lily flower, symbol of Florence.
The fret-worked opening lever dedicated to Ancient Rome features the portrait of its most famous and important personality: Julius Caesar, Roman general and statesman, who became dictator from 49 BC until his assassination in 44 BC. He played a critical rolein the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.
Some stories and places are just timeless - paying visit to Rome, Florence and Venice allows to breathe and witness millenia of history and beauty, the origins of the western world as we know it today and the symbols of Italian culture and heritage across the globe.
